FARMERS' UNION.

North Otago Times, 28 May 1908, Page 4

FARMERS' UNION.

Per JToBs Association.

• Peilding, May 27. The Farmers' Conference resumed tor day, The following remits were agreed ; l °Tlint tlio time had arrived when the " I'nion.as a whole must take a . firm % 'stand against tlio socialistic party. That all farmers' candidates shall pledge themselves to opposo all. menfuresydetrimeiital to tlio fanning community, whethor Govornmeiit measures (>r otherwise. That wlioro more than one Candida to "pledges himself to do so, a meeting of delegates from , each branch in tho electorate,.to be called by the premier branch to decide which candidate is most acceptable to tho Union, Mr Moore (Makuri) proposed , that the valuo of rural lands for taxation and other purposes shall in luturo lie determined by its producing valuo, not as at present by its salo value, Seconded by Mr White, and carried. ' Mr 11, B, M'Kmizlo proposed that in order to oncoiirnge tho planting of forest trees, all land over one acre should bo' exempt from land lux and local rales. , Seconded by Mr Kevins (Tcnui), and carried. Mr Venn (Shannon) moved that the Drainoco Act be anionded so that rating bo oil tho acreage instead of the valuation as at present, where a locality considers such system more just and equitable, Seconded by Mr llftlsillio (Palmerston North). . The motion was lost. - ■ Captain'Hewitt (Pulmcrston North) moved that when permanent Government reserves adjoin private holdings (freehold or leasehold) tlio. Lands Department should pay hall cost of fencing and keeping fences in repair, and destroying noxious weeds. Seconded by Mr A. M'Grcgor (Iluntcrvillo), nnd carried. Mr Edingham,' (Horoeka) proposed that the, Government bo urged to optn the Crown lands on the east side of tlio Puwiioi range and the south side of the town road for selection under tho optional system, as recommended by tho Crown Lands ranger. ' Mr Mooro seconded. , Tho motion was opposed on account 1 of it beir.g a local matter, but was ultimately carried,- ' ' Mr Moore (Makuri) .. proposed that I (lie Government should specially sub- . sidise all main roads leading to back i blocks at a distnnce from the rail- ! way. ; The. following further motions were , carried:

-That an amendment" of the Hospital ami Char taljlo Institutions Act was required in the direction of making levies more equitable throughout tho Dominion,.' ' That" auctioneers' license fees should be shared equally between the local bodies in whoso district sales fcro held. That the nnme9 of vendors and buyers of stock bo (jiyen when stock is sold at public auction. That it bo a recommendation to the Farmers' Union to consider the advisability of selling beef by weight, That the practice ot trimming skins and lude3 befon offering them for salo bo objected 'to, That tho Stock and Slaughtering Acts bo more rigidly enforced. That tho Government be asked to set aside a suitable area of land for, on ofiiicilltural collego for tho North Island. That the Union urge county councils to regulate the speed of'motor cars on country roncts. Tlint t!io Minister of Public Works be again urged to permit continuous loading on sheep trucks with falsa bottoms in New Zealand. That better facilities be given small railway stations for loud.in,; and unloading.stock and .produce. That the executive ho, urged to t'ontinuo the agitation for the improvement of dangerous railway crossings

throughout tho province', uotably the ono on Vinegar Hill road, near Iluntciville, .ami that tho colonial executive bring tho matter before tho Go-

vernment, That tho Government be asked to cany farmers in parties of six to experimental farms at excursion rates. That accommodation lie pro ■ vided at reasonable rales as is ilo:>o in Denmark, That' the executive use their best endeavors to induce the Go-

vernment to have all contracts ovw

£IOO let by public tender, not by petty contract, That the advisability of the Uuion acting as land agents for farmers'bo considered, That the executive recommend tho setting up of a committee to consider the police?,l situation; as affecting tho Union,, ninkis siigccstions to tho colonial' executive in revising the political platform of the Union, Owintr to the almost prohibitivo .price, of, building timber the Government bo urged to remove the import duty therefrom, That the conference supports compulsory universal military training, That tho inspection of dairy and agricultural machinery bo carried out "during the slack season,

Tho following officers were elected: President, Mr ■!. G. Wilson (re-elect-ed) ; vice-president, Mr J, C, Cooper • executive, Messrs Ewcn Campbell, G, C, Wheeler, ,W, J, Birch, Captain Hewitt, D." 11, Guthrie, P. F, Hockly, W, 15, Mathesbn,"' 31. A. Kevins, T. Moss, J, 11, Escott, J, 0, Hidwcll, I). M'Grcgor,_ S. J. Carman ; delegates to the colonial conference, Messrs 0. C. Cooper and P. F, Hockly,